Locking device



1966 I... w. SUROFF ETAL 3,263,462

LOCKING DEVICE Filed March 9, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 1 l' was 3 I INVENTORS 3 Z6 LEONARD w. $UROFF8.

HYMAN SUROFF' Aug. 2, 1966 L. w. SUROFF ETAL 3,

LOCKING DEVICE tiled March 9, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

M 4 44 I E L All 5 5 Q5 INVENTORS LEONARD W. SUROFF 8.

HYMAN SUROFF Aug. 2, 1966 L. w. SUROFF ETAL LOCKING DEVICE Filed March 9, 1964 5 Sheets-$heet 5 INVENTORS LEONARD W SUROFF 8.

HYMAN SUROFF United States Patent 3,263,462 LOCKING DEVICE Leonard William Suroff, 6304 Burns St., Jericho, N.Y., and Hyman Suroff, 254 E. 56th St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Mar. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 350,426 10 Claims. (Cl. 70-447) This invention relates to a locking mechanism for preventing attempts of unauthorized persons to enter buildings, more especially residences, by the use of a key or pass key. More in particular this invention relates to devices which are readily attachable to the existing locking mechanisms situated on the inside of a door which will prevent the use of a key or pass key to gain entrance without the locking device claimed in this invention first being released.

A method frequently employed by burglars, or house breakers, to effect entry is to obtain a pass key that will fit and open numerous locks. By inserting the pass key in the cylinder on the outside of the door and rotating it, the locking mechanism is released and the door is opened.

A particular object therefore of the present invention, in the light of the foregoing is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a new and novel means whereby, even though a burglar or unauthorized party has a key or pass key that would normally operate to rotate the lock cylinder and thereby release the lock bolt and open the door, it will now not be possible for any person to gain entry into a residence or other building by the manner stated.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a man ner as hereinafter set forth, a new and novel means whereby a person inserting a key into a lock cylinder in the manner stated, will be unable to rotate the key whereby to force the turning of the locking mechanism by hand or by an applied implement.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device for preventing the unauthorized entry into a dwelling in the manner above stated, which is readily applicable to the lock without making any changes or alterations in the door or lock structure and which may be applied and removed without marring or otherwise injuring the door hardware.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character that can be secured to various types and sizes of standard door locking mechanisms.

These, and other objects and advantages which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are attainable by the present invention described below with reference to several preferred embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of one embodiment of a locking device constructed in accordance with the invention and applied to the lock.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal view partly in section of the locking device constructed in accordance with this invention, the locking device being in elevation.

FIGURE 3 is a front plan view of a slightly different embodiment of a locking device constructed in accordance with the invention, spring tension being utilized to secure the locking device on the lock.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3, and showing the cross-sectional configuration of the locking device and its method of attachment to the lock.

FIGURE 5 is a front plan view, of yet a slightly different embodiment of a locking device constructed in accordance with the invention, tension to retain the locking device to the lock being supplied by retaining screws.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken along line 66 of FIGURE 5, and showing the cross-sectional configuration of the locking device and its method of attachment to the lock.

FIGURE 7 is a front plan view of yet a further embodiment of a locking device which remains mounted onto the lock whether it is in use or not.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view, partly broken away, taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 7, showing the details of construction of the locking device of this invention and its mounted relation to the lock and its latch actuator; and

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view, partly broken away, taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 7, showing the latch retaining mechanism in its open and closed positions.

The present invention consists in a device which is fastened to a door lock or its cover plate to enclose the lock actuator and prevent its being rotated by anyone inserting a key or .pass key into the lock cylinder and at tempting the rotate said key.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a typical lock 10 of conventional type, fastened to a door 11 by means of screws 12. The type or style of lock here illustrated is that wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by a key 13 inserted in a key-slot on the outside of the door (not shown), while such mechanism is operated from the inside for locking or unlocking the door by the lock actuator 14. When the key is rotated in the direction of arrow 15 the latch actuator 14 is caused to rotate in the direction of arrow 16 which is in the same direction as arrow 15. There exists a positive drive within the locking mechanism situated in cylinder 16 which causes the lock knob 14 to rotate with rotation of key 13. All of the above described lock structure is conventional and has been included merely to provide a background for explaining the construction and operation of this invention.

Referring first to FIGURES l and 2 illustrating one embodiment, of the present invention it is seen that the locking and retaining means 20 of the present invention, shown in assembled relation to a lock structure, is comprised of a base 21, which may be formed from a suitable plastic material or a metal, having a lower leg or extended flange 22 and a slot 23 extending transversely across the width of the base 21 to accommodate by a press fit an upper leg in the form of a resilient spring 24. The base 21 further includes an internal recess 25 whose inside faces telescope over the lock actuator 14 and thereby prevents said knob from rotating any appreciable amount when the key 13 is inserted in the key slot and an attempt to rotate it is made.

It will be observed that the recess 25 is greater in diameter than the maximum diametrical dimension of the lock actuator 14 thus allowing an annular clearance therebetween. The recess 25 is of the proper inside diametrical dimension to receive the lock actuator 14, and is of the proper length to abut at its open inner end the face of the lock, without the end wall 25b striking the upper surface 14a of the latch actuator 14.

The device illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 does not require the use of any screws to firmly secure it to the lock 10. The entire assembly 20 is secured by spring tension which is supplied by the rib 24 which acts as a resilient leaf spring, having a lower portion 24 which is contoured to contact the upper surface 10a of the lock 10 over a distance large enough to transmit sufficient force and whose upper portion 24 is firmly attached to the base 21. The extended flange 22 is provided with an upwardly extending boss or flange 26 which is caused to abut the lower portion of lock 10 by the force supplied by resilient spring 24.

Thus, from the description given thus far and with reference to the drawings, it can be seen that the assembly 20 need only be clipped onto the lock and will remain secure by spring tension. When a key 13 is inserted into the lock cylinder 16 and an attempt to rotate it in the direction of arcuate arrow is made the knob 14 will abut the inner wall of recess and will be prevented from rotating.

To retain the locking device 20 to the lock 10 when said device is not in use, for example, when the house is not occupied, a short length of chain 27, which is secured to both the lock 10 and locking device 20 may be used. Lugs 28 and 29 are respectively attached to each end of the chain 27 and are provided with holes for accommodating screws 12 and for securing the device 20 to the lock 10 as shown. When the lug 28 is to be attached to the lock 10, the screw 12 is disengaged and removed to allow the lug 28 to be positioned over the screw hole opening and the screw 12 is then re-engaged with the lock 10. The other end of the chain 27 is secured to lug 29 which is held in place on base 21 by means of screw 30 which is secured in tapped hole 30. Thus, it is seen that no new screw holes are made in the lock 10 or door 11 when the attachment 20 is secured thereto.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, there has been shown another embodiment of the present invention in which the locking device may be formed or drawn from one piece of sheet metal preferably of a resilient type. The locking device comprises a base 36, having at right angles to it an annular opening 37 therethrough, terminating at a lower surface 37'. A minimal clearance may be provided between the annular opening 37 and the peripheral edge 14 of the latch actuator 14, thus, permitting the locking device 35 to be used on locks where the peripheral edge varies slightly for each lock manufacturer. The minimal clearance is such that after the key or pass key is inserted into the cylinder only a minimum of rotation will occur prior to the latch actuator 14 abutting the annular opening 37 and thereby being prevented from further rotation.

Each end of the base 36 is formed into a leg or flange 38 extended at an oblique angle to the base 36 to act as a leaf spring which tends to maintain the locking device 35 in seated position against the adjacent face of the lock 10. Each flange 38 is provided with a lower section 38' angled to be approximately parallel to the upper surface 10a and lower surface 10c of the lock when said device 35 is in the position as indicated in FIGURES 3 and 4. The base 36 and its associated flanges 38 provide a clamping effect on the upper surface 10a and lower surfaces of the lock 100. The flanges formed in the manner described act as resilient leaf springs to coact and retain the locking mechanism 35 with sufiicient force that additional retaining means are unnecessary.

Obviously, the resilient flanges 38 need not be necessarily in the form as shown in the drawings. The element 38' may optionally be in a form having a rolled edge to strengthen the rib in its transverse dimension. Further, it is obvious that the resilient flanges as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2 might be modified to incorporate two resilient flanges in similar fashion as flange 24 is used in locking device 20.

The device 35 is mounted over the lock actuator 14 of a conventional locking mechanism as shown in the drawings and described above. In operation the occupant of the house or dwelling merely applies a force on the base 36 thereby pressing it into the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. This operation causes the knob 14 to be fully enclosed by the annular opening 37 with only a minimal clearance therebetween. This prevents rotation of the knob 14 when the key 13 is inserted in the cylinder 16 and an attempt to rotate it is made, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

To retain the locking device 35 to the lock 10 when said device is not attached to the lock as shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4, a short length of chain may be used to secure the lock 10 to the locking device 35, as is illus trated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, there has been shown a rigid angle bracket 42 in place of a resilient leaf spring 24 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Although the resilient leaf spring 24 provides sufficient strength to prevent rotation of lock actuator 14, it might be desirable for manufacturing purposes to mold or machine the lock mechanism into a solid member. The structure and mounting means shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 are satisfactorily used and have found favorable acceptance when the lock height varies due to changes made in new models of the manufactured locks.

The locking device 40 shown in assembled relation to a lock structure includes a base portion 41 provided with an upper leg or flange 42 and a lower leg or flange 43 both being offset at a right angle with reference to the longitudinal axis of the base and extending transversely across the width of the base 41. The base 41 further includes an internal recess 46 whose inside faces telescope over the lock actuator 14 and thereby prevents said actuator from rotating any appreciable amount when the key 13 is inserted in the key slot and an attempt to rotate it is made.

It will be observed that the recess 46 is greater in diameter than the maximum diametrical dimension of the lock knob 14 thus allowing an annular clearance therebetween. The recess 46 is of the proper inside diametrical dimension to receive the lock actuator 14, and is of the proper length to abut at its open inner end the face of the lock, without the end wall 46a striking the upper surface 14a of the latch actuator 14.

The lower flange 43 is provided with an upwardly extending boss or flange 44 which extends transversely across the width of base 41 and said boss having an upper surface 44a which is caused to abut the lower position of the lock 10. To secure the locking device 40 to the lock 10, the upper flange may be provided with one or more thumb screws 45 positioned in tapped holes 42a.

Thus, from the description given thus far and with reference to the drawings, it can be seen that the assembly 40 need only be positioned over the lock 10 and the thumb screws 45 rotated until the pressure surface 44a of boss 44 is caused to abut the lower portion 10c of lock 10 and retained in position by the force of the thumb screws 45 on the upper surface 10a of lock 10.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 through 9, it will be seen that the locking device 50 there illustrated is generally similar to the previously described locking devices and differs substantially from the latter primarily with respect to the means provided for securing the base with its annular recess over the lock actuator.

This embodiment of the invention embodies three essential parts, comprising a base 51, a U-shaped bracket, or frame 55, and a hinge 60, though a fourth part in the form of a latching device 65, may be used in association with the essential three.

The frame 55 is here shown as comprising a single piece of plastic, metal or other suitable material, which is formed in a U-shape to provide the two spaced parallel legs 56 and the cross connection 57 therebetween. The frame 55 is provided with a recess extending around its entire U-shaped length, said recess having a surface 58 to abut the end face of the lock 10b when the locking device 50 is secured to said lock and a surface 59 extending parallel to the legs 56.

The base 51 which may be formed from a suitable plastic material or a metal having a lower extended flange 52 extending at right angles to said base and extending across the width of said base and whose lower surface 52a is caused'to abut the front surface 10b of lock 10 when the base 51 is in its locked position. The base 51 further includes an interior recess 53 which has a greater diameter than the maximum diametrical dimension of the door lock actuator 14 thus allowing an annular clearance therebetween. When the latch actuator 14 is oval it is necessary to apply a force against said actuator to prevent its rotation when the key 13 is inserted in the cylinder 16 and an attempt to rotate said key is made. The base 51 may be provided with a tapped hole 54 to accommodate pressure screw 61 which when rotated is caused to abut the peripheral edge of the latch actuator 14 and firmly secure it thereby preventing its rotation. The pressure screw 61 is prferably utilized when the recess 54 is circular and not oval thereby necessitating pressure means for retaining the latch actuator in locked position.

When the latch actuator 14 is of a non circular configuration the circumference of recess 53 will telescope over the lock actuator 14 and thereby prevent said knob from rotating any appreciable amount when the key 13 is inserted in the key slot situated Within cylinder 16 and an attempt to rotate said key is made.

In addition to the recess 53 having a greater circumferential length than the lock actuator 14, to permit an annular clearance therebetween, said recess is provided with an end wall 53a whose length is sufficient to provide a clearance between the end Wall 53a and the upper surface 14a of latch actuator 14.

In this embodiment, FIGURES 7 through 9 of the invention, the base portion 51 is pivotally mounted to the U-shaped bracket 55 to obtain access to the latch actuator 14 when said base is in the position illustrated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 9. One method of pivotally mounting the base 51 to the U-shaped bracket 55 is by a hinge 60, said hinge may comprise a pair of hinge plates 62, 63, pivotally connected to each other by a hinge pin 64, plate 62 is positioned in recess 51a located on the inner face 51' of the base 51 and plate 63 is positioned in a similar recess 57a located on the inner face 57' of the cross connection 57 and secured to base 51 and cross connection, respectively, in any suitable manner, for example, by means of suitable fastener elements 60a.

By constructing the locking device 50 in the aforesaid manner said device may remain fixedly secured to the lock at all times, for example when the base is in its locked position or in its open position as illustrated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 9.

In order to retain the base 51 in a positive locking position so as to prevent accidental opening of said base without a minimal force, means is provided to bear against the upper and lower inner faces 56a of the spaced parallel legs 56, said means being referred to herein as latch member represented generally by the reference numeral 65. The latch 65 consists of an upper portion 66 and a lower portion 67, said upper portion having a base 66 positioned in recess 56b located on the inner face 56a of the legs 56 and said lower portion 67 having a base 67' positioned in recess 51b located on the longitudinal peripheral surfaces of base 51 and secured thereto, respectively, in any suitable manner, for example, by means of suitable fastener elements 65a. The upper portion 66 has a depressed spherical portion 66 which blends into the base 66 and the lower portion 67 has a mating spherical raised portion 67" which blends into base 6-7 and co-act to form a friction grip which is of sufficient force to retain the base 51 in a closed position when the locking device 50 is in use to prevent rotation of the latch actuator 14. Thus, when the elements of the latching device 65 are disposed in said above described position wherein raised portion 67" is disposed under pressure and abuts against the inner surface of raised portion 66", the base member 51 cannot be opened without first overcoming the frictional forces within the latching device 65, and this of course may only be overcome by applying enough force to the base member 51 to completely disengage the two elements of said latch.

While in the illustrations of the locking device 50 and in the description, the latching device 65 has been shown and described as formed of two portions frictionally engagealble, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be considered as limited to the use of a latching mecha nism of this form, since devices of any other form suitable for the attainment of the desired objects obviously may be employed.

To facilitate opening of the base member 51 which is pivotally mounted by hinge 60 to U-shaped member 55 a knob 70 is provided. The knob 70 may be secured to the base 51 by a screw 72 which is positioned in a counterbored hole 74 and engaged in a tapped hole 74 provided in the knob 70.

A basic difiference between this embodiment of the invention (FIGURES 7 thru 9) and those illustrated in FIGURES 1 thru 6 is that the device remains secured to the lock 10 at all times and the need for removing said device when not in use is eliminated. The locking device 50 may be secured to the lock 10 by providing tapped holes 76 located on the two spaced parallel legs 56 and screws 77 engaged therein to retain said device on lock 10.

The lock 10 here shown is one of any number of types that may be employed, and accordingly it is to be understood that in showing and describing this particular type or style, there is no intention to limit the invention in any respect as it will be readily obvious that the only requirement is of a lock having an actuator that is caused to rotate when the key is inserted in the lock cylinder and the latter is rotated.

It will be seen from the foregoing description and illustrations that there is provided by the present invention a lock-ing device which is of relatively simple construction and may be economically produced and inexpensively marketed and which will very effectively protect homes and other buildings while the occupants remain within them against entry by unauthorized persons having within their possession a key or a pass key and that Without the use of this invention would permit them to gain entrance onto the premises.

The protective device can be easily and quickly placed in position for use and removed without in any way altering the form or construction of the door or the lock mechamsm.

his to be understood that the above disclosure and drawings are directed to preferred embodiments of the invention and that other embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art, and such other embodiments are intended to be covered by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A locking device for preventing angular displacement of the manual actuator of a door lock having opposed surfaces, the combination comprising:

(A) A frame member having a pair of spaced apart legs extend-ing therefrom,

(B) A base having a shaped recess the-rein for the non-rotational acceptance of said actuator and whose inside circumference :is slightly larger than the peripheral edge of the door lock actuator,

(C) Means for pivotally mounting said base to said frame member,

(D) Means for securing said frame member to said lock to permit said locking device to remain secured to said lock at all time,

(B) Restraining means for yielda-bly urging said base portion in contact with the legs of said frame member whereby a force of predetermined magnitude manually applied to said base is required to overcome the frictional engagement between said legs and base to permit movement of the latter, and

(F) Means for hearing on said door lock actuator to prevent rotation of said actuator.

2. A locking device for preventing angular displacement of the manual actuator of a door lock having opposed surfaces, the combination comprising:

(A) A frame member,

(B) A base having a shaped recess therein for the nonrotational acceptance of said actuator and whose inside circumference is slightly larger than the peripheral edge of the door lock actuator to prevent rotation of said manual actuator,

(C) Means for pivotally mounting said base to said frame member, and

(D) Means for securing said frame member to the opposed surfaces of said lock so that said locking device remains secured to said lock at all times.

3. A locking device as in claim 2; wherein said means for securing said frame member to the opposed surfaces of the door lock includes fastening means associated with at least one of said legs and manually adjustable to engage at least one of the opposed surfaces of said lock.

4. A locking device for preventing angular displacement of the manual actuator of a door lock having opposed surfaces, the combination comprising:

(A) A frame member having a pair of spaced apart legs,

(B) A base having a shaped recess therein for the nonrotational acceptance of said actuator and whose in side circumference is slightly larger than the peripheral edge of the door lock actuator to prevent rotation of said manual actuator,

(C) Means for pivotally mounting said base to said frame member,

(D) Means associated with at least one of said legs for securing said frame member to said lock to permit said locking device to remain secured to said lock at all times, and

(E) Restraining means for yieldably urging said base portion in contact with the legs of said frame member whereby a force of predetermined magnitude manually applied to said base is required to overcome the frictional engagement between said legs and base to permit movement of the latter.

5. The locking device as in claim 4; further comprising a handle secured to said base, said handle being engageable so as to facilitate the movement of said base.

6. The locking device as in claim 4; wherein said restraining means is comprised of (a) a latch member secured to at least one of said legs, and

(b) a complementary latch member secured to said base, and adapted to frictionally engage each other to retain said base and leg in a releasably fixed position.

7. A locking device for preventing angular displacement of the manual actuator of a door lock having opposed surfaces, the combination comprising:

(A) A base having a shaped recess therein for the 5 non-rotational acceptance of said actuator and whose inside circumference is slightly larger than the peripheral edge of the door lock actuator,

(B) A pair of spaced apart legs projecting from said base, and adapted to extend over the opposed surfaces of the door lock, and

(C) Adjustable clamping means for securing said legs to the opposed surfaces of the door lock to resist any movement of the manual actuator.

8. The locking device as in claim 7; wherein said recess has a depth greater than the outstanding length of the door lock actuator.

9. The locking device as in claim 7; wherein at least one of said spaced apart legs is formed of resilient material to act as said adjustable clamping means exhibiting sufiicient force to retain the locking device on the lock without any additional means.

10. The locking device as in claim 7:

(a) wherein one of said spaced apart legs is provided with an upwardly extending surface on one end thereof in abutting relation to one surface of said lock, and

(b) the other spaced apart leg is provided with said adjustable clamping means for bearing on the opposite surface of said lock, to retain the locking device on the lock.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner.

P. TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner. 

7. A LOCKING DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT OF THE MANUAL ACTUATOR OF A DOOR LOCK HAVING OPPOSED SURFACES, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (A) A BASE HAVING A SHAPED RECESS THEREIN FOR THE NON-ROTATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF SAID ACTUATOR AND WHOSE INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE IS SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR, (B) A PAIR OF SPACED APART LEGS PROJECTING FROM SAID BASE, AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND OVER THE OPPOSED SURFACES OF THE DOOR LOCK, AND (C) ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING MEANS FOR SECURING SAID LEGS TO THE OPPOSED SURFACES OF THE DOOR LOCK TO RESIST ANY MOVEMENT OF THE MANUAL ACTUATOR. 